Sunday I turned 35. Between being 32 weeks pregnant in FL where it's a sticky 95 degrees, entering into the fifth full month of quarantine life, and finding out Liv's school is delayed, again...
I focused on gratitude + not counting on this birthday really being "one for the books".
But...
Ryan planned a date night Saturday and a small surprise party with my immediate family + a couple of friends Sunday afternoon that was a total secret until (the evening before when) Liv was bursting at the seams with, "Mommmmy!!! We have the best surprise for you. You're going to love it! Everyone's coming tomorrow for your surprise birthday party!! There's a cake that's gonna be so good!..."
She continued to ramble off in precise detail about the card "a chick doing yoga", gifts, cake flavor and who's coming. 🤣 It was pretty cute (as Ryan did a head-slap).
The above shots really capture life between Saturday evening (standard date night: me looking pumped to be outta the house, Ryan less thrilled..to the card, my belly + of course the cake).
In sharing a more personal story this week, what got me thinking about you over the celebratory weekend was our anticipated trip to IKEA for my real gift - a home office setup fit for a boss.
No more sharing a desk or working on the floor or dining room table (more than I'd like to admit). 🤦🏻♀️
We're talkin' custom built-in shelving, bookcases with glass doors, hanging files, even a designated space for future filming of courses... basically a space I've been daydreaming about for what seems like years.
I digress.
The reason you came to mind...
When we got to IKEA the ENTIRE home-office set-up was completely sold out, on backorder with no option for delivery. Everything. Desks. Table legs. Custom Tables. Small Tables. Mass produced tables. Every chair. Every filing cabinet. It was bananas. 🍌
Of course it's outta stock. Everyone has a home office, even kids now.
So, to tie this all together...
How ergonomic is your set-up right now?
Have you actually made sure the level of your desk is low enough that your arms are positioned with the least strain? Is your chair taking care of your spine and core? Does it have arms to support you? Are you getting up often? Or is everything in arm's reach making it even more limiting to get your movement in every hour?
How about lighting? Are you set up by a window for optimal natural light? Using blue-light glasses the majority of the day? Or is the lighting less than ideal?
These are just a few check points worth thinking over about your dedicated space.
Catching up with a friend (who happens to be a powerful entertainment lawyer in LA and all around bad-ass) last week, mentions her workspace at home "kinda sucks but luckily [her company] is setting everyone in the company up with an ergonomic specialist".
How cool is that?! I mean…I want one! 🙋🏻♀️This shouldn't be a perk just for high-powered employees at the top 1% of companies when the standard or in some cases the only option is "remote working".
So, for those of us who didn't get an ergonomic specialist in our benefits package here's a short one minute video by certified Ergonomic Specialist (no-frills) on how to be more efficient + kind to your body from home or really any space. I kinda love this guy and his home video.
Where could you improve? Seems pretty simple, right? A couple of pillows, boxes or books, keyboard, and a rolled towel can serve you well if you have a less than ideal setup. :)
Speaking of simple ways to improve...
If you haven't already, peep last week's video on how to have a more sustainable toxic-free kitchen, today.
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More on Products I stand behind.
Why did I switch to Beautycounter? In 2017 I was looking for all of the ways to ditch toxins while I was pregnant with my first, Olivia. Personal care products were last on my list because I was sure I couldn't find high-performing safer products. But then … I did.
What I love most about Beautycounter:
They’re reducing their carbon footprint to become carbon-neutral, switching products to more eco-friendly packaging, and the price point is just right - all while keeping my family safer by banning over 1,800 ingredients, while the US only bans 30 toxic ingredients! 😡
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Not sure what product is best for your skin? That’s what I’m here for!
Shoot me an email and I’ll get back to you ASAP. Or if you can’t wait - take the skin quiz here.
I'm so grateful to be another year older and to be able to do what I love - help my community reach their optimal well-being by making small impactful changes to increase your health-span ... because we all have more to be, do, experience, love in this world. 🌍
With love + so much gratitude,
Laura